The Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin’ – the old-time music festival that began as a family reunion – returns to Carter Caves State Resort Park for its 46th year Sept. 9-12.
Musicians will be jamming in parking lots and sharing music around campfires in tribute to the late master fiddler J.P. Fraley, as well as to the music and traditions of Eastern Kentucky. Musical instruments such as dulcimer, fiddle and guitar are used to tell stories about life long ago in the foothills region.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, there will be a free “Jamming in the Round” get-together in the campground starting at 8 p.m. On Thursday, Sept. 10, starting at 7 p.m., an open stage concert will take place in the park’s amphitheater.
At 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, the amphitheater will come to life with an open stage, a banjo gathering and a dulcimer gathering. Friday’s activities will be capped with a 7 p.m. concert in the amphitheater.
Starting Saturday morning, Sept. 12, there will be a kid’s jam session in front of the lodge. Late morning into the afternoon the amphitheater will resound with sessions devoted to ballads, storytelling and Carter Family songs, and conclude with a fiddle gathering and guitar gathering. Saturday night’s concert in the amphitheater begins at 7 p.m.
Paid admission is required for concerts and jam sessions Friday afternoon through Saturday night. Fees range from $4 to $10. A festival pass for all programs costs $25 per person. The Friends of Carter Caves will provide refreshments during the event.
For more information, including a list of invited musicians, contact Coy Ainsley at 606-286-4411, ext. 2543, or festival organizer Barb Kuhns at bkuhnsfiddle@yahoo.com. Visit the festival website at www.fraleyfestival.com.
Carter Caves State Resort Park features a lodge, vacation cottages, RV campsites and primitive campsites. The lodge restaurant offers a variety of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. There’s also hiking, golf, mini-golf, fishing, horseback riding and swimming. The park is located in northeastern Kentucky, 4 miles off Interstate 64 between Grayson and Olive Hill (exit 161).
From Kentucky State Parks